The Australian pilot vessel and steam yacht Alvina had a long and varied career. It was built in the UK as a private yacht, 1891 and in 1903 came to Australia to commence in the pilot service at Port Phillip Heads. This model of the pilot ship is held by the nearby Queenscliff Maritime Museum in Victoria. In 1923 the larger Akuna took over from the Alvina, which then served as an excursion steamer and ferry in Westernport Bay for another 10 years when in 1933 it was replaced by an ex-Sydney vehicular ferry displaced by the new Harbour Bridge. Alvina was not scrapped until 1961. DSC_0046In 1901 the pilots took delivery of their first steam-powered pilot cutter, “Victoria”, 46 metres in length, built at Williamstown. “Victoria” was followed by “Alvina”, “Akuna”, “Akuna II” and in 1953, “Wyuna”, a twin-screw diesel electric pilot cutter 63 metres in length. “Wyuna” served until November 1979 and was then sold to the new Australian Maritime College at Launceston, Tasmania for use as a training ship.Model of the Pilot vessel 'Alvina in glass casepilot service, pilot vessel 'alvina', mr a g woodley

See history of the Clarke family on Register 325-11.325-16 - Sepia photograph of three men talking on the ferry Alvina. Jack Spaven on the left, Mr Candy talking to Cpt Jimmy Clarke in the background. Taken 1930's. 325-17 - Small sepia photograph of Captain Jimmy Clarke. 325-18 - Sepia photograph of Captain George Clarke. 325-19 - Sepia photograph of three people on the S.S.Alvina. Captain Jimmy Clarke on the right, adjusting the gangway. Other people unknown. 325-20 - Sepia photograph in solid cardboard mount of the Clarke homestead in San Remo, Victoria. 325-21 - Small sepia photograph of Jack Clarke in 1901. 325-22 - Black & White photograph of Violet and Jack Clarke. Violet was Jack & Jimmy's sister.Some inscriptions written on by Arthur Woodley. 325-16 - "Taken in the 1930's, Mr Candy talking to Captain J. L. Clarke on "Alvina", Jack Spaven on left. 325-18 - "Daddy on way home at San Remo" - Capt. G. P. Clarke at San Remo. 325-19 - "Captain Jimmy Clarke, right, adjusting the gangway on S. S. Alvina 1920's - other people not known". 325-20 - "Our old home at San Remo". "Clarke's old home". "Home of Captain George Clarke. He dies 1904" 325-21 - "In 1901". "Captain Jimmy Clarke's twin brother. Jimmy would have been at sea then". 325-22 - "Jack& Vi at Punt Road, Sth Yarra". "Jack Clarke was Captai Jimmy Clarke's twin brother, Violet the sister".jimmy clarke, jack clarke, violet clarke, captain george clarke, jack spaven, mr candy, ss alvina, clarke's home san remo, arthur woodley